Slashdot | Why Only Music?

[rizzn’s note: this has to be one of the most poignant commentaries I’ve seen in the whole RIAA/MP3 Digital Music rights debate I’ve seen. I’m inclined to agree with it. This is the sort of statement that can start a movement.

To be honest, I’ve ceased downloading MP3’s lately. Not really because I’m afraid of anything (I’m usually arrogantly stupid in matters such as that, generally speaking), but because of time constraints, and because the RIAA always targets the filesharing network for persecution I’m always on, thereby killing any good source I have established for finding files.

I’ve long since ceased purchasing CD’s. I just can’t support big business in this anymore. The last time I purchased a CD from a major record label was back in 1994, when I subscribed to BMG Music like every other 16 year old in America.

What do you think? Do we give up music? I’m game. I’ll nuke ’em all. Every last MP3. Too much trouble, right? I dunno.]

It’s suddenly occurred to me that I no longer want the responsibility of music.

I like listening to music, but I don’t want to worry about whether or not I’m legally allowed to rip it for myself.

I don’t want to worry whether or not I’ll have to disable autoplay in order to rip a CD. I don’t want to worry whether or not I’m violating the DMCA if I say something, do something, or copy something.

I don’t want to have to worry about whether or not the RIAA will come busting into my house because I’ve downloaded — apparently — legal MP3s from emusic.com. I don’t want to worry whether or not they’ll think they’re illegal.

Art and enjoyment aren’t supposed to be like this. I can go into a library, check out a book, read it, and return it. I can pick up a magazine, read it, put it back on the table.

I can go into coffee shop, read a paper, leave it on the table, and not worry about whether or not (a) my privacy has been compromised and (b) I’m doing something illegal. I can just go and do it.

Music is just not worth it. It’s become larger than itself and owning it — using it — has become too much of a responsibility. I don’t want to break the law, but I probably have. But I don’t want to deal with worrying about whether or not I might have broken the law. I just want to listen to it. I could give a shit about DRM and licensing.

It’s too much responsibility. I give up. The RIAA wins. I won’t buy any more or listen to anymore.